A SUNDERLAND footballer was "seriously ill" tonight after collapsing in the dressing room half way through a match.

Clive Clarke, who is on loan at Leicester City, collapsed at half-time in a Carling Cup match at Nottingham Forest, leading to the match being abandoned.

The 27-year-old defender, who joined Leicester from the Black Cats on loan two weeks ago, was given medical attention in an ambulance at the City Ground.

He was said to be conscious.

The start of the second half was initially delayed, before the managers of the teams, Colin Calderwood and Leicester's Martin Allen announced the game was being abandoned.

Leicester chief executive Tim Davies said the Irish player was "seriously ill."

He was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Nottingham.

Clarke is on three months loan at Leicester.